Torah Study: The Essential National Service That Must Be Protected

by Ram ben Ze’ev

Torah Study: The Essential National Service That Must Be Protected

Israel stands at a crossroads. The secular world continues to push for the forced conscription of yeshiva students into military service, claiming a so-called “equal burden.” But this argument is fundamentally flawed. The service of yeshiva students is not found on the battlefield—it is found in the study halls, where Torah learning safeguards the Jewish nation in ways that no military force ever could. The exemption for Torah scholars must not only remain—it must be strengthened and protected as a foundational principle of the Jewish state.

The Spiritual Shield of Israel

From the moment Israel was established, its survival has depended on both military strength and divine protection. The enemies that surround us are relentless, yet time and again, the Jewish people have triumphed against impossible odds. Why? Because our strength is not measured in weapons alone—it is measured in the spiritual commitment that has sustained us for thousands of years.

Torah is not an abstract concept. It is the foundation of our existence. Those who dedicate their lives to its study do not merely engage in intellectual pursuits; they uphold the very covenant that ensures the continuity of Am Yisrael. The idea that Torah learning is somehow a lesser form of national service is an outright rejection of Jewish history and identity.

Ben-Gurion’s Commitment Must Be Honored

When David Ben-Gurion granted the original exemption to a few hundred yeshiva students, he understood that the Jewish state could not exist without Torah. The exemption was not some political maneuver—it was a recognition of the vital role Torah plays in the survival of our people.

Since then, the number of yeshiva students has grown significantly, a testament to the miraculous revival of Torah study after the destruction of European yeshivot in the Holocaust. To now demand the forced enlistment of these students would be an act of betrayal, undoing decades of spiritual rebuilding. It would be an abandonment of the very principles upon which Israel was founded.

The IDF Does Not Need Every Citizen to Serve

Israel’s military is among the most advanced in the world. Precision technology, intelligence operations, and cyber defense have changed the nature of warfare. The idea that Israel’s security depends on pulling yeshiva students from their study halls is absurd.

The IDF does not lack soldiers—it lacks recognition of the true sources of Israel’s protection.

Those who argue that the military “needs” Torah scholars ignore the reality that Israel’s military successes have always been accompanied by an unwavering commitment to Torah and mitzvot.

A Direct Attack on the Jewish Identity of Israel

The push to draft yeshiva students is not about security—it is about ideology. The secular establishment seeks to weaken the Haredi community by forcing its youth into environments that contradict their way of life. The IDF, as structured today, is not compatible with the demands of a Torah-observant life. Integrating yeshiva students would not strengthen the army—it would weaken the spiritual fabric of Israel.

The truth is clear: The fight against the yeshiva exemption is a fight against Torah itself. And a state that turns its back on Torah is a state that has lost its way.

Alternative Contributions Are Already in Place

The claim that yeshiva students do not contribute to Israeli society is false. Many eventually enter the workforce, build families, and sustain Israel’s economy. Others engage in national service in ways that align with their values. The suggestion that military service is the only legitimate form of contribution is an attempt to erase the unique role of Torah in Jewish life.

The Haredi community is not asking for special treatment. It is defending its right to continue the mission that has sustained the Jewish people for thousands of years. The Torah is not a burden—it is our very essence. Those who dedicate themselves to its study do not evade responsibility; they embrace the highest responsibility of all: ensuring the spiritual survival of Am Yisrael.

The Exemption Must Remain—Without Compromise

There is no middle ground. The forced conscription of yeshiva students is a direct attack on Torah and a betrayal of the Jewish people. Israel’s leaders must recognize that true national service is not only found in military service but in the unwavering commitment to Torah learning.

The exemption is not a privilege—it is a necessity. Those who study Torah full-time are not avoiding duty; they are fulfilling the most essential duty of all. Without them, Israel’s survival—both spiritual and physical—would be at risk.

The Jewish state was built to be a home for Torah. That foundation must not be compromised. The yeshiva exemption must stand—unshaken, untouchable, and eternally protected.

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Bill White (Ram ben Ze'ev) is CEO of WireNews Limited, Mayside Partners Limited, MEADHANAN Agency, Kestrel Assets Limited, SpudsToGo Limited and Executive Director of Hebrew Synagogue